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About your course

The BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University provides a mix of academic and practical experiences to enhance understanding of sport coaching through from elite to community provision.

Cover the art (coaching methods, planning and delivering) and science (psychology and physiology) of sport coaching

Provides multiple opportunities to gain coaching experience in the UK and potentially abroad.

Apply the latest coaching research in practical sessions, assessments and placements.

Graduates have gone on to a wide range of exciting careers in community sport, private or overseas coaching, national governing bodies of sport and sport development.

Your studies will be supplemented by expert guest lectures and visits from the field of coaching.

Start month: September

Campus location: Teaching will commence at IM Marsh Campus, but may be subject to change in 2019/20

The course gives an excellent insight, not just into how to be an effective coach, but also how to effectively manage a sports event or work within an organisation.

Dom Edwards, graduate

The Sport Coaching course has allowed me to develop my coaching skills with both children and adults and learn a variety of aspects of coaching, such as sport science. I have met some great people who I will be friends with for life.

Sarah Winder, graduate

Work-related learning

This Foundation Year is designed to build both your academic and practical skills, providing the qualifications and practical skills required for sport business. There will be opportunities to work alongside practitioners giving you a real taste of the many careers available within the sport business industries. Work-related learning is a vital element of your studies as it gives you the chance to practice skills learned on the course.

The course incorporates work-related learning through ‘Employability and Professional Development’ modules that are built in at every level. You will have the chance to take up placements with outstanding organisations across the sport continuum, from the elite level such as Everton Academy, as well as a range of community based placements within a variety of sports. There will also be opportunities (both paid and voluntary) to work for our in-house Sport Start scheme.

We also have strong links with a number of national governing bodies of sport, work with school partners and private coaching organisations, as well as voluntary and charitable organisations linked to sport.

During your work experience you will build up a set of the key transferable skills that are valued by employers, whatever career path you choose, which will help you stand out from the crowd when you come to apply for your first graduate position.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor plus study skills support.

​From the moment you join LJMU, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be responsible for supporting your academic and personal progress throughout the course. This kind of one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or concerns you may have during your studies. As part of your timetable you will have weekly contact with your tutor in a Peer Learning Group.

Other forms of support include a Student Support Zone and library which stay open in the evenings and at weekends during term time. The IM Marsh Campus where this course is based is renowned for its friendliness and strong sense of community. You can watch the campus video here.​​

Go abroad

LJMU aims to make an international opportunity available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree, either in Europe or the US. You could take part in a work placement in Europe under the ERASMUS+ scheme or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. There are also opportunities to attend a two-week summer school with one of our worldwide partners.

Our Go Global Fund can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?

Course details

If you are passionate about sport and want a chance to help others achieve their sporting ambitions, a degree in Sport Coaching could be the route for you. Current demand for appropriately qualified coaches is high across a variety of settings (coaching children; participants and athletes). To be a successful coach, however, you need to be self-confident, have strong interpersonal skills and a sense of responsibility, alongside an in-depth professional coaching knowledge. This course will provide you with opportunities to gather this knowledge in areas such as coaching methods, sport psychology, training programmes and planning and delivering sessions.

​During your degree, you will have the opportunity to do applied coaching on work placements in a variety of settings e.g. schools, clubs etc. This will help you to develop professional skills relevant to the coaching field e.g. observation, listening and communication. It will also help you to develop a network of contacts and to further your coaching C.V. Our excellent student placement office can help you source placements and in the past students have completed work experiences in Liverpool, across the U.K. and even abroad. Within your modules, you will also deliver and experience a range of practical coaching styles and sessions. These will be both student led and staff led, and will include a range of sports so that students get to observe, learn, and deliver the best coaching practices.

The staff on this programme have vast industry experience, ensuring that your lectures will be informed by both the latest research and best practices from industry. In fact, as part of your research methods strand, you will get to work on exciting research projects, helping you to develop analytical, organisational and presentation skills. More information on the Sport Coaching Research Group is available here.

Foundation Year

​By choosing to study our Foundation Year you will join a friendly and stimulating environment in which you will be encouraged to achieve your full potential in both your academic work and your future career. We pride ourselves on our informal and supportive relationships with our students.

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be responsible for your academic and personal progress throughout your studies. Along with this scheduled one-to-one support, you will receive regular feedback and guidance from your module tutors on your research, writing and study skills.

This course will help you develop a critical appreciation of the coaching process in a variety of settings as well as allowing you to develop professional skills in your own coaching environment.

​Finally, in addition to your course, the University provides a range of extracurricular activities. For example, the Sport Coaching Research Group hold a monthly seminar where BSc. students mix with our MSc. and PhD students to hear the latest research in sport. We also have a programme of guest lectures and visits that students can attend. For example, students have visited the England Rugby Union Under 20 Training Camp and the Football Association at St George's Park. Students have also had guest lectures on site from practitioners such as Charlotte Henshaw (Paralympic Medalist Rio 2016), Mike Phelan (ex-Manchester United Coach) and Kate Richardson-Walsh (Gold Medal Winner as Captain of GB Hockey Rio 2016) amongst others. Of course, there is also a range of practical extracurricular opportunities for students including: BUCS and recreational sport activities e.g. dance, netball, football, rugby, hockey, gymnastics etc. Plus, I.M. Marsh-based students will have access to a free strength and conditioning studio onsite. All LJMU students are also entitled to apply for free off-peak membership for Lifestyles Fitness Centres across Liverpool and discounted peak-rate membership is also available so you can keep yourself active alongside your sport studies.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study

Level 3 (Subject to Validation)

Projects in Sport, Physical Education and Nutrition

Personal Skills Development

Lifestyle Behaviours in Sport, Physical Education and Nutrition

Sport, Physical Education and Nutrition in Practice

Health and Wellbeing in Sport, Physical Education and Nutrition

Exploring aspects of Sport, Physical Education and Nutrition

Level 4

Sport Coaching Pedagogy 1

Coaching Process 1

Research Methods and Study Skills

Psychology for Sports Coaches 1

Strength and Conditioning for Coaches

Employability and Professional Development 1

Level 5

Sport Coaching Pedagogy 2

Coaching Process 2

Research Methods 2

Psychology for Sports Coaches 2

Strength and Conditioning for Coaches 2

Employability and Professional Development 2

Level 6

Major Research Project

Interdisciplinary Considerations for Programme Design

Psychology for Sports Coaches 3

Applied Sport Coaching Pedagogy 3

Coaching Process 3

Employability and Professional Development 3

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Please see the programme specification document for further details on this course.

Teaching and learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources.

​Teaching is via a combination of lectures, seminars, practical sessions, peer learning groups and informal tutorials where you can discuss issues and develop ideas raised in the lectures.

Your lecturers

Expert tuition and support.

The lecturers on the programme have international reputations in sport coaching research and practice. For example, Dr Kevin Enright is currently leading a UEFA funded research project into how coaches can minimise injury risk in football across European Football Clubs. Staff also use their expertise to work with industry partners. For example, Dr Simon Roberts is currently supervising PhD students who are evaluating and improving British Cycling's coach education programme. Dr Amy Whitehead's 'Think aloud' research project has used reflective practice to improve coaching in the Football Association and in Super League Rugby Clubs.

All the teaching staff within the programme hold extensive research and practitioner experience within the industry, which ensures that research and scholarship underpins the curriculum.

Dr Nic Rowley is the Programme Leader for the Sport Coaching undergraduate course with an applied background working within the English Institute of Sport in both Olympic and Paralympic sports she has elite coaching experience from athlete, practitioner and a coaching perspective completing her PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology and leads on the Interdisciplinary Approach to Programme Design module as well as supplementing the other Strength and Conditioning modules.

Vicci Boyd co-ordinates the employability and professional development strand of the programme. She specialises in professional development leadership, student experience enhancement and is the pastoral support leader. She sits on the National NSPCC Safeguarding in Sport Research Group.

Dr Colum Cronin has been working and studying sport coaching in public, private and voluntary sector sports organisations for fifteen years. He is lead for Sport Coaching Pedagogy strand. This is informed by his research which focuses on coaches' lives, practice and development.

Dr Kevin Enright co-leads the strength and conditioning strand. He is an accredited strength-and-conditioning coach (ASCC) with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and is an accredited sport and exercise scientist with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Tabo Huntley previously worked in high performance Paralympic sport. He co-leads the strength and conditioning strand. He is an accredited strength-and-conditioning coach (ASCC) with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and is undertaking a PhD exploring expertise in Paralympic sport coaches.

Dr Simon Roberts is a Reader/Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Pedagogy. He co-leads the research methods strand of the programme. Simon's publications range from the relative age inequalities in youth and elite sport to injury prevention in BMX cycling. He is also a UKCC Level 4 advisor and a reviewer for SkillsActive and Sports Coach UK.

Dr Gus Ryrie leads the Coaching Process strand. His research explores the psycho-social identities of sport coaches. He is also a tutor for sports coach UK running a range of CPD workshops.

Dr Amy Whitehead specialises in the psychology of sport and exercise. Amy is currently research active in the areas of decision making, expert novice paradigms and using think aloud protocol analysis, with coaching and athlete performance. Amy is sport psychology practitioner and has worked as a consultant for organisations such as St. Helen's RFC and British Cycling

Assessment and feedback

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

​Every student performs differently according to how they are being assessed, and so we use a range of assessment methods. These include written assignments, exams, practical work, individual and group presentations, portfolios, reflective logs and a dissertation. You will be given a full assessment schedule at the start of each academic year to help you plan your workload.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Minimum points required from qualifications

64

Application and selection

We are looking for students who are genuinely interested in sport and have the potential to make a difference to the sports industry. Applicants should be able to communicate effectively both orally and in their written work and possess the self-discipline to manage their time and tasks effectively while at LJMU.

GCSE and equivalents

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional skills level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A Levels

Minimum number of A Levels required: 2

Subject specific requirements: It is expected that applicants have studied at least one relevant subject.

Is general studies acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Average A Level offer: DDE

Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

BTEC qualifications

BTEC certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

90 credit diploma: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma subjects / grades required: MM from a relevant subject area is required if no other level 3 qualifications are taken

Extended diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma subjects / grades required: MPP

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Further information: Access programme must have been taken be in a relevant subject area.Access programme must have been taken be in a relevant subject area. Achieve a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff points.

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Additional information: Achieve a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff points.

Welsh awards

Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Irish awards

Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Grades / subjects required: 64 UCAS points

Additional entry requirement information

​​Please contact the University if you have any questions regarding the relevance of your qualifications.

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

Finance and fees

Find out more about the student funding that you may be eligible for from either LJMU or the government. This section will give you information about grants and loans as well as targeted support for students with children, adult dependants or those with a disability.

Please note that the amount of money you will receive as a student is dependent on where in the UK you normally live (i.e. England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland).

LJMU scholarships

LJMU's scholarships are open to all new full-time Home and EU undergraduates that are liable to pay tuition fees. These awards are not income assessed, they are based on excellence. If successful, you will be awarded a scholarship for each year of your course subject to satisfactory progress. Scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £10,000 per year. The money you receive doesn’t have to be paid back.

LJMU bursary

The LJMU bursary is automatically paid to eligible students – you do not need to apply for it. The annual bursary is £500, which works out at £1,500 over a three year degree.

LJMU bursaries are means-tested and you don’t have to pay them back; they are intended to help you meet some of the costs associated with being a student.

Tuition fees

You will be charged a fee for each year of your course. The University reserves the right to increase fees up to the maximum permitted by law or government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course. Generally, these fee increases are linked to RPIX inflation (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

The fees quoted are those for the 2018/19 year as information for 2019/20 is not yet available. The Department for Education (DfE) have recently announced that they will be freezing tuition fees for the 2019/20 academic year. However, this is still subject to the normal parliamentary approval. Once 2019/20 fees are confirmed we will update our web pages accordingly.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to pay your tuition fees upfront - subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you can take out a tuition fee loan for each year of your course.

You can also take out a maintenance or living cost loan for each year of your course to cover your living expenses, such as rent and food.

You don’t start repaying your student loans until after you’ve left university and start earning at least £25,000**.

LJMU is committed to ensuring that students understand the full cost of studying at the University. Your tuition fee will cover or contribute to, as appropriate, expenses associated with your core modules, including:

safety equipment, such as lab coats and goggles

uniforms for nurses, paramedics and other professional placements

UK field trips and other educational visits

student exchanges

DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service – formerly CRB)

Professional sector regulatory body membership

** Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Living expenses (maintenance) loan

In addition to your tuition fees, eligible full-time undergraduate students can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover your living costs. If you’re eligible, you can take out a loan for each year of your course.

The amount you’ll receive will depend on where in the UK you normally live and your household income. This money will be paid into your bank or building society account in three instalments and it’s up to you to budget for your living costs.

Part time students starting in 2018 or later can also apply for a maintenance loan.

Paying back your student loans

You only start repaying your student loans the April after you have graduated or left university and start earning £25,000* or above. Repayments are based on a percentage of your salary not how much you have borrowed from the Student Loans Company. Repayments are currently set at 9% of any income over the threshold (which is currently set at £25,000).*

* Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Career prospects

​Once you graduate, you have a wide range of options open to you. Many of our graduates go on to work as sports coaches with private or overseas coaching service providers, national governing bodies of sport, or in sport development. Others choose to progress onto further study such as a PGDE, PGCE Initial Teacher Training programmes or other postgraduate studies.

​CareerSmart programme

All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the CareerSmart programme as an integral part of a core module of study. Once you have completed this, a wide range of other career-related provision and services will be available to support your development throughout your studies.

The new CareerSmart e-learning tool will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career. It will enable you to consider your strengths and development areas, your career motivators, the options available to you and the necessary steps to take to achieve your career goals.

Professional accreditation / links

UK Coaching has recognised this combination of in-depth knowledge and practical application on the course, and have accredited the degree for meeting their standards. Additionally, the International Council for Coaching Excellence have also recognised the excellent coaching work at Liverpool John Moores and in 2017 we hosted the Global Coach Conference with presentations from World Class Coaches such as England Rugby Union Coach Eddie Jones to 300 coaches from as far afield as New Zealand.

Foundation year fees

If you are studying on a foundation year of a degree programme you will be charged a reduced fee for your 1st year only. This means you will only pay £10,600 tuition fees for the first (foundation) year of your course.

International Scholarships

Studying at LJMU offers international students excellent value for money and the opportunity to secure an internationally-respected qualification plus outstanding career prospects.

LJMU offers scholarships for international students. The provision and range of these scholarships can change from year to year so it is important that you always check the website for the most up-to-date information. The University also accepts a range of external funding, should you be awarded a scholarship or sponsorship from elsewhere.

English language qualifications

All international applicants must have an internationally recognised English language qualification, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). Your English language qualification must have been certified within the last two years for verification purposes. LJMU will accept other UKVI-recognised English language tests providing you attain the appropriate level.

This table summarises the minimum scores required by LJMU, although specific course requirements may differ depending on the programme you want to study.

English language support to improve IELTS

If your English language level does not meet the required entry requirements for your course you may still be offered a place on the condition that you successfully complete an English for Undergraduate Study course at LJMU’s International Study Centre.

Tuition fee deposits

International students are liable to pay a minimum deposit of 50% of their tuition fees before their CAS can be issued. The outstanding balance must be paid in full within 4 months of the given enrolment date.

Living Costs

When you apply for your visa or entry clearance, you will need to provide evidence of having enough money to support yourself for the duration of your programme and to pay for all of your living expenses. The good news is that the cost of living in Liverpool is one of the lowest in England, which means your money will go even further, allowing you to enjoy your student experience to the full.

In addition to academic fees, you must budget for living costs such as accommodation, food, clothing, books, local travel and entertainment. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) states that students studying outside London must have £1,015 per month for a maximum of nine months to cover their living costs.

We estimate that a single student living in LJMU-approved accommodation is likely to need an average of £5,000 to cover just their rent for a full academic year.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate (ATAS)

If you have applied to study an Enhanced Undergraduate Degree (such as an MEng) course at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate.

Alternatively, contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance. It is important to note that, if required, an ATAS certificate must be obtained before your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies can be released to you.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 you will require a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS. LJMU will only assign a CAS once you have satisfied the conditions of any offer made to you and you satisfy the University’s obligations as a Tier 4 Sponsor. For more details, visit the international students section.

Your visa application

As soon as you have received an offer of a place at LJMU you should contact the Entry Clearance Office at the British Embassy, British High Commission or Consular Office in your own country to check whether you need a visa for entry into Britain. You are advised to do this as soon as you can as the visa application process can take a long time.

Please Note: To obtain an Entry Visa you should go to the British Embassy or High Commission in your own country, and present the following documents: